Project description:Introduction:?Increased esophageal acid exposure is seen in a large percentage of patients with achalasia who undergo peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). Endoscopic transoral fundoplication (TIF) is a novel endoscopic technique for the management of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). We present the first case series evaluating the role of TIF post-POEM. Methods:?Consecutive patients 18 years or older from our academic institution who underwent a POEM procedure and subsequently underwent TIF for symptomatic reflux or regurgitation between December 2014 and June 2017 were included. The primary outcome was discontinuation of proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use and healing of esophagitis (when initially present) on post-procedure esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Technical success was defined as successful completion of the endoscopic fundoplication. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded for all patients. Results?:Five patients were included (60?% male, average age 55?±?14 years). Technical success was achieved in 100?% of patients. Discontinuation of PPI use was achieved in 5/5 patients (100?%). Three patients had esophagitis pre-procedure and all were noted to have resolution of inflammation on post-procedure EGD. No adverse events were noted. Mean follow-up time was 27 months (range 5?-?34 months). Conclusion:?TIF post-POEM appears feasible, safe, and efficacious in improving symptoms and esophagitis, decreasing long-term risks of acid exposure, and decreasing risks of long-term PPI use in patients post-POEM in this small cohort of patients. Larger studies are needed to confirm these initial findings.
Project description:Background and aimsDefinitive treatment options for refractory dysphagia due to cricopharyngeal bar are limited. We aimed to demonstrate a novel adaptation of peroral endoscopic myotomy to treat this condition (cricopharyngeal peroral endoscopic myotomy [c-POEM]).MethodsThe approach to c-POEM is similar to that in the distal esophagus for the treatment of achalasia. A submucosal injection and overlying mucosal incision are performed, ideally 1.5 to 2 cm upstream of the upper esophageal sphincter, and then a submucosal tunnel is extended beyond the level of the cricopharyngeus. The target muscle is then transected before closure of the mucosotomy.ResultsIn 3 cases of refractory cricopharyngeal bar, c-POEM was successfully performed. Although no major adverse events occurred, significant postprocedural edema at the level of the upper esophageal sphincter prolonged hospitalization in 2 of the 3 patients. After recovery, all patients reported complete resolution of dysphagia and tolerated an unrestricted diet.ConclusionsC-POEM allows reliable and complete muscular division in patients with refractory cricopharyngeal bar who have limited treatment options.
Project description:BackgroundGastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease in children. When drug treatment fails, laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery (LARS) is considered. Short-term follow-up studies report high success rates; however, few studies report long-term results. The aim of this study was to describe the long-term effects of LARS in pediatric patients.MethodsA prospective, multicenter study of 25 laparoscopic fundoplication patients was performed. At 3 months and 1, 2, and 5 years postoperatively, patients and caregivers were asked to complete the gastroesophageal reflux symptom questionnaire to assess symptoms and the PedsQL™ to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL).ResultsReflux symptom severity was still significantly improved 5 years after LARS compared with preoperative levels (p < 0.0001). However, 26% of patients reported moderate or severe reflux symptoms. Dysphagia was reported in 13% of patients 5 years after LARS and was more common in children with neurologic impairment and children who underwent a Nissen procedure. The increase in HRQoL 3 months postoperatively appears to decline over time: 5 years after surgery, HRQoL was lower, though not significantly, than 3 months postoperatively. HRQoL at 5 years was still higher, though also not significantly, than preoperative levels. The presence of reflux symptoms after surgery was not significantly associated with lower HRQoL.ConclusionsLARS is effective for therapy-resistant GERD in children. Five years after surgery, reflux symptoms are still improved. However, we observed a decline in symptom-free patients over time. The initial increase in HRQoL shortly after LARS appears to decline over time.Trial registrationDutch national trial registry Identifier: 2934 ( www.trialregister.nl ).
Project description:Although peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is being performed more frequently, the learning curve for gastroenterologists performing the procedure has not been well studied. The aims of this study were to define the learning curve for POEM and determine which preoperative and intraoperative factors predict the time that will be taken to complete the procedure and its different steps.Consecutive patients who underwent POEM performed by a single expert gastroenterologist for the treatment of achalasia or spastic esophageal disorders were included. The POEM procedure was divided into four steps: mucosal entry, submucosal tunneling, myotomy, and closure. Nonlinear regression was used to determine the POEM learning plateau and calculate the learning rate.A total of 60 consecutive patients underwent POEM in an endoscopy suite. The median length of procedure (LOP) was 88 minutes (range 36 - 210), and the mean (± standard deviation [SD]) LOP per centimeter of myotomy was 9 ± 5 minutes. The total operative time decreased significantly as experience increased (P < 0.001), with a "learning plateau" at 102 minutes and a "learning rate" of 13 cases. The mucosal entry, tunneling, and closure times decreased significantly with experience (P < 0.001). The myotomy time showed no significant decrease with experience (P = 0.35). When the mean (± SD) total procedure times for the learning phase and the corresponding comparator groups were compared, a statistically significant difference was observed between procedures 11 - 15 and procedures 16 - 20 (15.5 ± 2.4 min/cm and 10.1 ± 2.7 min/cm, P = 0.01) but not thereafter. A higher case number was significantly associated with a decreased LOP (P < 0.001).In this single-center retrospective study, the minimum threshold number of cases required for an expert interventional endoscopist performing POEM to reach a plateau approached 13.
Project description:BACKGROUND:There is no consensus as to what extent of "wrap" is required in a fundoplication for correction of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). OBJECTIVE:To evaluate if a complete (360 degree) or partial fundoplication gives better control of GERD. METHODS:A systematic search of MEDLINE and Scopus identified interventional and observational studies of fundoplication in children. Screening identified those comparing techniques. The primary outcome was recurrence of GERD following surgery. Dysphagia and complications were secondary outcomes of interest. Meta-analysis was performed when appropriate. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. RESULTS:2289 abstracts were screened, yielding 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 12 retrospective cohort studies. The RCTs were pooled. There was no difference in surgical success between partial and complete fundoplication, OR 1.33 [0.67,2.66]. In the 12 cohort studies, 3 (25%) used an objective assessment of the surgery, one of which showed improved outcomes with complete fundoplication. Twenty-five different complications were reported; common were dysphagia and gas-bloat syndrome. Overall study quality was poor. CONCLUSIONS:The comparison of partial fundoplication with complete fundoplication warrants further study. The evidence does not demonstrate superiority of one technique. The lack of high quality RCTs and the methodological heterogeneity of observational studies limits a powerful meta-analysis.